12 Easy Memorial Day 2017 Barbecue Ideas So You Can Celebrate Accordingly

The best part about Memorial Day weekend parties is the food — amirite? While it's important to remember that Memorial Day is a day to remember and pay respect to those who died in active military service, the three-day weekend also serves as a summer kick-off, and there are often outdoor parties in commemoration. And there't no better way to kick-off the summer than to wheel out the grill and fire it up. I've never actually used a grill before, so I'm not sure if that's how it works, but it sounds right. #FireItUp!

If you haven't used a grill either, this is going to be your summer to get into it. There are so many amazing barbecue recipes that you're not going to want to miss out on. And the best part is, they're not all meat. Did you know you can put full veggies on the grill? Pizza dough? Even fruits? There's so much you can do to make figuring out the grill once and for all worth it. Seriously, you won't ever want to cook inside again.

Here are a few of my favorite easy grill recipes for Memorial Day. They're totally do-able for the first-time grill chef (be careful, though!) and won't break the bank or be a time suck:

Grilled Shrimp Tacos

A Cozy Kitchen

These crunchy, chewy, charred shrimp bits are going to taste amazing with this mango salsa. Get the recipe on A Cozy Kitchen.

Grilled Fig & Peach Salad

A Cozy Kitchen

This salad is chalk full of umami ingredients. Cheese, meat, fruit, veggies. It's perfect for the warm weather when you want a hearty meal but would rather not have another hot dog. Check out the recipe on A Cozy Kitchen.

Grilled Watermelon Mint Julep

A Cozy Kitchen

Yep. This is a thing! You can grill watermelon and then you can use it in your holiday drinks! Check out the recipe on A Cozy Kitchen.

Grilled Pineapple Dessert

A Pretty Life In The Suburbs

When you grill pineapple it takes on a totally different flavor. When you add sure and spices, it's seriously next level. Check out the recipe on A Pretty Life In The Suburbs.

Grilled Potatoes

A Pretty Life In The Suburbs

If you're a big fan of potatoes, why not just make them the main dish? Throw in some veggies, toss them on the grill with some seasoning, and call it. Check out the recipe on A Pretty Life In The Suburbs.